Michiyo Yagi

In 2001 she recorded "Yural" with her koto ensemble Paulownia Crush for the East Works label. Under the auspices of the Japan Foundation, Yagi toured Russia with this ensemble in the fall of 2004. An eclectic musician, Yagi has frequently appeared on Japanese TV and has performed at the Moers Jazz, Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Archipel, Bang on a Can, Tokyo Summer, Vision, Punkt, Instal, Music Unlimited, Météo-Mulhouse, Born Creative, and Jazztopad Festivals. Yagi's koto has been featured in ex-Judy and Mary guitarist/singer Takuya's rock band, and she has recorded and appeared onstage with Ayumi Hamasaki, one of Japan's best-selling pop singers. Yagi was a founding member of the quartet Koto Vortex with fellow Sawai apprentices Yoko Nishi, Miki Maruta and Etsuko Takezawa, as well as Kokoo, a trio which performs originals and progressive rock covers exclusively on traditional Japanese instruments. She was also one-third of the avant-pop girl group Hoahio which recorded two CD's for Tzadik. Yagi is one of the few improvising koto players on the international stage. Among Yagi's post-Tzadik recordings are Seventeen, entirely performed on the giant 17-string koto; Live!

• Name — Michiyo Yagi • Landscape — yes • Birthplace — Tokoname, Aichi • Instruments — koto (21-string, 17-string, 18-string, 13-string), shamisen, electronics, voice • Genre — Traditional Japanese music, jazz, free improvisation, progressive rock, contemporary classical music • Occupation — Musician, educator • Years Active — 1986–present • Label — Idiolect, Tzadik, Zipangu, East Works Entertainment / BAJ • Illustration — Michiyo Yagi, Moers Festival 2011